Like I said, some idiots, CONSERVATIVE idiots, are beyond fuc*ing stupid.
Quote:
Chrysler profits rocket 80%
James R. Healey, USA TODAY
October 29. 2012 - Chrysler Group said today that its profit in the third quarter zoomed 80% to $381 million from $212 million a year ago.
Significantly, the big jump in net income came on a more modest rise in revenue, up 18% to $15.5 billion, from $13.1 billion a year ago. That means the automaker not only is increasing sales, but is achieving better profit margins on what it sells.
Chrysler said its increase in profitability was achieved despite a mix of vehicles sold skewing more toward cars and smaller vehicles and less toward high-profit, big trucks.
Chrysler noted that the good reviews for its Jeep Grand Cherokee, the updated 2013 Ram pickup and the new-to-the-lineup Dodge Dart compact sedan, on sale since June, have boosted sales and should help continue momentum.
Another report card, though, is less complimentary. Consumer Reports magazine's "predicted reliability" ranking announced Monday showed all four Chrysler brands in the bottom half of the 28 brands rated.
Jeep was the top Chrysler nameplate, at 19th. Chrysler, Dodge and Ram clustered at 23rd through 25th.
Unfortunately for Chrysler Group, that reinforces a stereotype that Detroit brands generally, and Chrysler's in particular, have trouble matching the best overseas makes.
Nevertheless, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said, "We've changed the conversation at Chrysler Group." Marchionne also is CEO of Fiat Auto, which owns a majority of Chrysler.
"We have revamped our product lineup with such segment-defining models as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler 300. Critics and consumers already are responding positively to the Dodge Dart and to the 2013 Ram 1500, with its best-in-class fuel economy," he said.
Dart and Ram both are on the short list for the North American Car and Truck of the Year, selected by a jury of 50 auto journalists and announced at the Detroit auto show in January.
Fiat, brandishing its small-car expertise, was seen as the rescuer of big-car and big-truck Chrysler in the 2009, government-scripted bankruptcy reorganization. Now, Fiat's hurting in struggling Europe and Chrysler's winning.
But the Italian maker can't drain Chrysler cash under the bankruptcy deal. Chrysler reported cash on hand of $11.9 billion at the end of the third quarter, up from $9.5 billion a year ago, but down slightly from $12.1 billion at the end of the second quarter.
Chrysler said it expects to sell 2.3 million to 2.4 million vehicles globally this year, generating $65 billion in revenue and providing a full-